INTRODUCTION TO SHAPER MACHINE The shaper is a reciprocating type of machine tool intended primarily to produce flat surfaces.

These surfaces may be horizontal, vertical, or inclined. In general, the shaper can produce any surface composed of straight line ele ments. Modern shapers can generate contoured surface. The metal working shaper was developed in the year 1836 by James Nasmyth an, Englishman. TYPES OF SHAPERS Shapers are classified in number of ways depending upon the general features of design or the purpose for which they are intended.

According to the type of mechanism used for g i v i n g r e c i p r o c a t i n g m o t i o n t o t h e r a m : - (a) Crank type (b) Geared type (c) Hydraulic type

1. CRANK SHAPER: This is the most common type of shaper in which a single point cutting tool is given a reciprocating equal to the length of the stroke desired while the work is clamped in position on an adjustable table. In construction, the crank shaper employs a crank mechanism to change circular motion of a large gear called bull gear incorporated

in the machine to reciprocating motion of the ram. The bull gear receives power either from an individual motor or from an overhead line shaft if it is a belt driven shaper.

2. GEARED TYPE: The reciprocating motion of the ram in some type of shaper is effected by means of a rack and pinion. The rack teeth which are cut directly below the ram mesh with a spur gear. The pinion meshing with the rack is driven by a gear train. The speed and the direction in which the machine will traverse depend on the number of gears in the gear train. This type of shaper in not very widely used

3. HYDRAULIC SHAPER: In a hydraulic shaper, reciprocating movement of the ram is obtained by hydraulic power. Oil under high pressure is pumped into the operating cylinder fitted with a piston. The end of the piston red is connected to the ram. The high pressure oil first acts on one side o f t h e p i s t o n a n d t h e n on the other causing the piston to reciproca te and t h e m o t i o n i s t5ransmitted to the ram. The piston speed is changed by varying the amount of liquid delivered by the pump. One of the most important advantages of this type of shaper is that the cutting speed and force of the ram drive are constant from the very beginning to the end of the cut. It also offers great flexibility of speed and feed control., eliminates shock and permits slip or slowing up of motion when the cutting tool is overloaded,

protecting the parts or the tools from breakage. Another advantage is that the machine does not make any noise and operates very quietly.